The National Weather Service said this morning that the intense rain activity that has deluged Boulder this week and triggered a 100-year flood event is finally loosing its grip on the immediate region.

Showers will remain intermittent through the day today, with about a 50 percent chance of rain, which could still bring another inch to Boulder, on top of the 14-plus inches that alreadyhave fallen since Monday, said meteorologist Kari Bowen.

"There will still be some (additional) flooding potential with it," Bowen said of today's expected rain.

Boulder has, in fact, been under a flash flood watch since 7 a.m.

There is a glimmer of good news in the forecast, with Saturday's rainfall potential slipping to about 30 percent, some periods of sunshine expected with temperatures expected to reach 75, after today's predicted mid-60s.

But then things turn less promising, with a new wave of southerly moisture expected on Sunday, with rainfall potential back up to 70 percent, and temperatures slipping back into the mid-60s. When that rain hits, the high water dangers will be renewed.

"There's a chance for flooding with this," Bowen said of Sunday's forecast. "We have saturated ground in a lot of places, we have rivers and creeks that are over their banks. We can't take a whole lot of rain, without more flooding and flash-flooding potential. If we feel the need to put out a warning, we will do that."

Meteorologist Matt Kelsch said that as of 7 a.m. today, Boulder had registered 14.62 inches of rain at the official measuring station on Broadway, south of Baseline Road. And the city's most recent 24-hour total, also ending at 7 a.m., was 5.20 inches.

"Our total for the year is 27.61 inches, and the record year is 29.93 in 1995, so even if for the rest of the year we only have half the average precipitation, we would make that record," said Kelsch.

"It's remarkable," Kelsch added. "We have set the records for daily totals, monthly totals, and we haven't just set them, we smashed them. Precipitation of this caliber would be unusual in a tropical area. It would be considered unusual if you were in New Orleans. So, to happen in a semi-arid place like Boulder is really remarkable."

Despite the fact that Boulderites will see glimpses of sun today, and more on Saturday, it is not cause to attempt any form of recreation near the water, Bowen said.

"People need to be aware that just because the sun comes out, it's not time to go exploring. These creeks can still rise very quickly, so we want people to use precautions," she said.

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